Baby Sleep Tips for Exhausted Parents [From an Overnight Doula]
The average parent loses 133 nights of sleep before their baby turns one. No wonder you’re exhausted. And while sleepless nights are often part of the parenting journey, it doesn’t mean you have to just power through with no direction. Here’s something you might not know: overnight doulas are filled with valuable insights on how […]
The Importance of Support in the Pre and Postpartum Period with Kristin Revere
Kristin Revere and Meaghan Beames chat about support in the pre and postpartum period Meaghan is the host of The MyBaby Craniosacral Podcast. “It’s all about knowing options and building your own dream team of professionals based on however you choose to birth your baby and parent your baby.” Kristin Revere, owner of Gold Coast Doulas, […]
Meet the Visionaries: Unveiling the Minds Behind Tender Seasons, Michigan’s Maternity Wear Icon
Guest blog post by Kayli Joann, Founder & CEO of Tender Seasons. I stared in the mirror in disgust at the baggy, “cute” nightgown I had purchased for a little getaway with my husband. I was very pregnant and excited to get out of the house for a weekend! I had been on the search […]
5 Things to Know About Surrogacy – Guest Blog by Jessie Jaskulsky
Gold Coast Doulas asked Jessie Jaskulsky to guest blog on the topic of Surrogacy since March is Surrogacy Awareness Month. Jessie is the mom of Lily and Luna. It is through her first-hand experience with surrogacy that she is passionate about simplifying the process for others. Having gone through this beautiful but wildly complicated process […]
Did you forget something?
Gold Coast Doulas asked Heidi McDowell to guest blog on the topic of preparing your body for childbirth. Heidi is a yoga teacher at Mind, Body, Baby, a doula, a wife, and most importantly, a mama. Her goal is to create a community space for you that feels safe, supportive, and empowering. She holds certifications […]
Pregnancy Loss
Remember the story of Pandora’s Box? In Greek mythology, the story goes something like this: Pandora, told she could not open the lid of a box given to her or her husband from Zeus, finally lets curiosity get the best of her and opens the box. Immediately, out comes all the troubles that humanity would […]
Top 3 Yoga Poses for 3rd Trimester
Cervical checks aren’t quite the crystal ball some providers make them out to be. The truth is, we don’t know how your birth will unfold. But by preparing your body you are creating balance in your pelvis and enhancing your baby’s chances of a smoother, more efficient birth! As a labor doula and prenatal yoga […]
Meet our new birth doula, Lisa.
What did you do before you became a doula/consultant? I had a 20+ year career as an Occupational Therapist. Much of my career as a therapist, was at Mary Free Bed Hospital working in the wheelchair and custom seating department. Approximately 7 years ago, I completed my master’s degree and became an academic advisor. I […]
Harnessing the Power of Stem Cells Through Cord Blood Banking
Stem cells are special human cells that have the potential to become many different types of cells, such as brain cells, muscles cells, and more. These cells have the potential to treat, or even sometimes reverse diseases that have left patients of the past without effective options. Umbilical cord blood banking provides potential treatments for […]
Gold Coast Doulas is Expanding Our Reach!
We have been listening to our clients and trusted health practitioners, and we are expanding our day and overnight postpartum and sleep consulting services to Northern Michigan and Southwest Michigan starting in April of 2022. Michigan postpartum doula services and support will expand along the Gold Coast of Michigan, covering 300 miles of the western […]
Preventing Preeclampsia with Proper Nutrition
Preeclampsia is a prenatal and postpartum condition that is hallmarked by gestational hypertension and the presence of protein in the urine. It occurs in approximately 5-8% of pregnant women and can be life-threatening. Women who have had preeclampsia with a previous pregnancy are at a higher risk of developing it again. The symptoms of preeclampsia […]
Pubic Symphysis Pain In Pregnancy
What is it? Pain in the groin or pubic region. In pregnancy, your ligaments increase in laxity to allow more movement of the pelvis in preparation for childbirth. Add the increased weight from the growing baby and you can end up with pain in the pubic region! What to do: Avoid activities that cause your […]
Affordable Ways to Help a Loved One Through a Pandemic Pregnancy
While we’ve had nearly a year to adjust to the changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, having a baby presents new challenges. Women who are pregnant have to worry about contracting COVID-19, surviving their pregnancy with limited social support, and staying safe at the hospital. If you know someone who is pregnant right now, […]
How the Pandemic Positively Affected Working Out From Home!
The original owner, Marissa Andersen, and I (Sarah Greidanus) soon-to-be owner, went into 2020 knowing that it would be a big year for our business – FIT4MOM Grand Rapids. Marissa was passing on the reins to me after being in the helm for over 8 years. The transition was underway and everything was scheduled to […]
What I Wish I Knew: Podcast Episode #104
Kristin and Alyssa, owners of Gold Coast Doulas, talk about the things they wish they had known before having a baby. Listen to this fun episode packed with advice and lots of little gold nuggets of information for new parents! You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Kristin: Welcome to […]
Creating a Safe Sleep Space: Sound Machines
Alyssa Veneklase talks with Lisa Tiedt, Building Biologist and owner of Well Abode, about creating health sanctuaries in our homes. You can view this video on YouTube. Alyssa: All right. Today, I’m here talking to Lisa Tiedt. She’s a Building Biologist, and, as you know, I’m a sleep consultant, so we’ve partnered a few […]
Signs of Early Pregnancy
This blog is written by Jessica Kupres, BSN, RN, CLC, CBE a Postpartum Doula with Gold Coast. As you lie in bed thinking about your day and putting your brain to rest, you might think about the great presentation you gave today. Did you put the clothes in the dryer? When was your last period?…. […]
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
This post was written by Lauren Utter, a ProDoula trained Birth and Postpartum Doula with Gold Coast Doulas. Finding out you are pregnant can bring an array of emotions – planned pregnancy or not. Maybe you’re excited because you have been waiting for this day. Maybe you are surprised because a baby wasn’t on your […]
Top 10 New Parent Essentials
Did you notice that this list doesn’t say “Baby Essentials”? Nope, it’s not an error. YOU are the single most essential thing in your baby’s tiny life. While you process all the feels over this game changing reality, I’ve got your back with some advice on essentials that will ease your transition so that you […]
Planning a Nursery During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Today’s guest blog is written by Isabella Caprario, Content Marketing Specialist at Porch. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we all feel uncertainty. We don’t know what will happen or what steps to take next. We only know that the best way to end this madness is to sit at home and take all the necessary precautions […]
Virtual Birth Support: Podcast Episode #95
Sam & Justin recently had their baby boy, Judah, in the hospital in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. They describe their experience in the hospital as well as how beneficial birth doula support was throughout pregnancy and then during labor and delivery, even though support was virtual instead of in-person. You can listen to […]
COVID-19 Reduce Your Risk!
Ask The Doulas Podcast · Corona Virus Update on Doulas Reduce Your Risk by Megan Mouser, NP. March 31, 2020 STATISTICS COVID-19 With statistics regarding the novel coronavirus changing daily (and even hourly), the most up-to-date information can come from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Centers for Disease […]
A Journey Unlike Any Other
To all of the couples who have had retrievals, transfers, and IVF schedules postponed or affected by the Corona virus outbreak my heart breaks for you. IVF is no small or easy journey; it takes a toll on your mental, emotional, and physical state. It’s beautiful and terrifying all at the same time. It’s expensive […]
Coronavirus Update on Doulas: Podcast Episode #94
Kristin and Alyssa, Co-Owners of Gold Coast Doulas, give an update on doulas and the coronavirus. How is this affecting birth doulas in the hospital and postpartum doulas in the home? They also talk about virtual classes such as Mama Natural Online to help new parents stay prepared while social distancing. You can listen to […]